Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 6842 msfocusmagazine.org In darkest night Etta Diz-Pope - Hampton, Va. “Robert, my husband, is my caregiver and my rock. We are newlyweds, and Robert married me knowing I had this chronic illness and what it might hold in store for me – for us, really. I have good and I have very bad days. When I am in pain and not the greatest person to be around, he puts up with me without a frown on his face. I sometimes go through bad depression, but he comforts me and makes me feel everything will be all right. His compassion and love make me feel like I am going to get through this with flying colors. I can make it through anything as long as I have my husband in my corner. It’s not easy for him, but he is the greatest.” A family affair Linda Venanzio - Lower Burrell, Pa. “My daughter, Cindi, is my caregiver. She promised me, when I got diagnosed eight-and-a-half years ago, that she would always be there for me. Though she is now married and has a daughter of her own, she still comes to see me daily. She checks my meds, balances my checkbook, moves furniture, and vacuums. Anything I ask her to do, she is always there for me. My daughter is going through nursing school, works weekends, raises her daughter, but she always makes time for me. It is so wonderful to have a daughter who cares and gives so much of herself.” Getting around Bonnie Bock - New Lenox, Ill. “I have secondary progressive MS since 1998. I am also a breast cancer survivor since 2001. I commute every day to Chicago for my job. I ride the train and then get off the train and into a cab. I have to take the cab back and forth to work. I drive my car with hand controls to the metro parking lot and get around with my three- wheeled walker. Thank God for my friend June, my fellow commuter. She helps me on and off the train and cabs, plus a whole lot along the way. We laugh a lot, too. What a great friend. I am blessed.” Congratulations to all our winners! Your inspiring stories show the deep bonds that are possible in caregiving relationships. Thank you to everyone who shared their story with us. Life with MS